Az Zafir

Az Zafir (b. 1146) was a general of the Ayyubid Empire and a jihadist.

Biography
Az Zafir was a Levantine Muslim that originated from the region of Jerusalem, living in a town south of the city. In 1176, Ayyubid sultan Salah ad-Din declared a jihad against the Christian Kingdom of Jerusalem, and he formed an army of 7,200 Mutatawwi’ya to fight for the religious cause that Saladin stood for. Az Zafir attacked the city of Kerak, defeating two armies under William and Howard outside of the city. In 1178, after a two-year siege, his forces captured Kerak Castle from the Jerusalemites, and he became governor.